Cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for cleaning a surface including means for concurrently supplying liquid under pressure to a cleaning head for sealing the supplied liquid within a surface area being cleaned, and means for withdrawing the liquid and foreign matter from the surface area under subatmospheric pressure.

United States Patent 11 (72] Inventor Chester L.Cosho\- 2908.030 Ill/W59Schuchman et al.v r l5/322 H13 Center St. CollinSvlllmOkla. 7402il.982.345 ll/l934 Kirby l5/32l [Ill Appl No 67$,l63 2,292435 8/l942Crites. 15/321 (22] Filed 06.13.1967 2.843.866 7/l958 Hancock M lS/32l XPatented Jul 27.197] FOREIGN PATENTS 95.877 4/1960 Norway [5/32] [54]CLEANING APPARATUS Primary Examiner-Peter Feldman 2 Claims. 7 DrawingFigs. Allorney- William S. Dorman [52] [1.5. CI. .6 15/321. 134/6 [5 [1Int. Cl A47] 7/00 ABSTRACT; Apparatus f Cleaning a Surface i l di lsoll5/32l- 322 means for concurrently supplying liquid under pressure to acleaning head for sealing the supplied liquid within a surface [56]Rem-"c6 cued I area being cleaned, and means for withdrawing the liquidand UNITED STATES PATENTS foreign matter from the surface area undersubatmospheric l,82l,7l$ 9/l93l Kuchinsky .4 15/322 pressure 58 Is 2s 0o O f oo 56 l 36 I j: 2 1 Jo 2:: 31:1:5/ fi I 4 a A h 2--- :r- ---;/Z4

PATENTFDJMHQH 3.594349 sum 1 or 2 VACUUM SOURCE PRESSURIZED LIQUIDSOURCE INVENTOR Chester L. Coshow FIG.'3. mjlwcflg ATTOR N HY PATENTEI]JUL27 I9?! 4 sum 2 or 2 594,8459

FIG.6.

INVENTOR Chester L. Coshow BY 31 M ATTORNEY FIG.5.

CLEANING APPARATUS This invention relates generally to means forcleaning soiled surfaces and more particularly to a device and methodwhereby a uniform surface, such as an automobile windshield, headlight,window or the like, may be wetted, scoured and dried in a singlesweeping motion.

Briefly the method disclosed herein involves the application ofcleaning-liquid, under pressure. to a surface to be cleaned, and thesimultaneous withdrawal, under reduced atmospheric pressure, of thecleaning-liquid and foreign matter from said surface. Thecleaning-liquid may be selected depending upon the solvent actionrequired and is preferably heated to I40 F. although cleaning-liquidtemperatures ranging between approximately 6 l60 F. have been foundsatisfactory. Similarly, the pressure under which the cleaning fluid isapplied against the surface may be varied depending upon the nature ofthe matter to be removed. a pressure of about l00/in. being, however,preferable.

The instant apparatus comprises means for educting a source ofpressurized cleaning-liquid to a surface area to be cleaned, means forhermetically circumscribing said surface area while scouring same, andmeans for removing the clean ing-liquid from said surface area throughthe application of a vacuum to said circumscribed surface areanotwithstanding the possible continued application ofcleaning-liquidthereto.

Heretofore, it has been known to wet a surface to be cleaned, to scourthe surface to effectuate removal of affixed foreign matter or residueand to thereafter wipe said surface using a wiper-blade or the like. Thesimultaneous application of cleaning-liquid to a surface upon which theair pressure has been rendered subatmospheric, as advanced herein,affords cleaning capabilities of unexpected excellence with aconsiderable reduction in the time otherwise required for the operation.

In accordance with the foregoing, this invention has for an object theprovision ofa novel cleaning apparatus including it cleaning headcapable of simultaneously wetting and drying a surface being cleaned.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of acleaning-liquid tank having a pump unit immersed within the liquidthereof to thereby effectively cause agitation ofthe liquid anduniformity ofthe temperature thereof,

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a methodfor cleaning glass or other smooth surfaces wherein the wetting anddrying operations are accomplished concurrently.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus inaccordahce with the foregoing herein the cleaningliquid applied to thesurface being cleaned is substantially recovered for subsequent cleaningoperations.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a simplifiedcleaning apparatus particularly effective and useful in service stationsfor cleaning smooth glass surfaces, such as automobile Windshields whichhave been heavily soiled with the remains ofinsects and the likeimpacted thereon.

Other general objects of the present invention reside in the provisionof a machine of the described character, which is substantiallyautomatic in its operation, which is relatively simple to use, and whichis highly economical and effective in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG, 1 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the clean ingapparatus showing same as a portable unit;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

HO. 3 is an elevational view of a modified form of the cleaning headmeans of the apparatus wherein a pair of selectively operable cleaningheads are provided;

HO. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an actual application of thepresent invention by a service station attendant;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of'the cleaning head;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the cleaning headshown in H0. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view ofthe cleaning head.

It will be understood that the foregoing general objectives and thefollowing detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory butare not restrictive of the invention. Referring now in detail to theinvention as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings,FIG. 1 shows the cleaning apparatus designated generally by numeral 1,said apparatus comprising conduit means I, cleaning head means 4, avacuum source 6, a pressure source 8, and a tank 10 for boldingcleaning-liquid 12.

More specifically, and to the end of simultaneously accomplishing thewetting and drying operation as hereinabove set forth, said conduitmeans is comprised of first and second coriduit members 14 and [6,respectively, said second conduit member being disposed longitudinallywithin said first conduit member as shown, whereby cleaning-liquid 12can be.educted through the interior [8 ofsaid second conduit member tosaid cleaning head while the region 20 between said conduit members ismaintained at subatmospheric pressure to thereby provide a passagethrough which the educted cleaning-liquid will be withdrawn almost atthe same time it is deposited through said cleaning head upon thesurface being cleaned.

Tank 10, which includes a bottom wall 22, sidewall 24 and a top wall 26,as shown, contains a large supply of cleaning liquid 12, said liquidbeing of any suitable nature, such as water, ammoniated water, chemicaldetergent or the like. Pump housing 28 is connected to said top wall 26and depends therefrom to a position partially submerged within saidliquid. Said pressure source 8, which is a conventional electricallydriven liquid pumping unit 29, is mounted within said pump housing, theonly direct communication between said pump ing unit and cleaning-liquidreservoir 12 being via inlet means 30 which, as shown, sealingly extendsfrom said pump housing into said cleaningliquid.

The depending character of said pump housing 28 and the vibratory actioninherent in the liquid pumping unit 29 when running, imparts a slightbut effective mechanical agitation of said cleaning-liquid and aconsequent uniform mixing thereof. Such mixing is highly advantageous tothe end of occasioning uniform heat exchange between electricalimmersion heater 32 and the entire cleaning-liquid reservoir. Thermostatelement 34 which can be preset to regulate the reservoir temperaturepreferably maintains the liquid temperature at l40 F. althoughtemperatures within the range of approximately 6 l F. can be utilizeddepending upon the nature of the cleaning-liquid.

Thus, as aforementioned, end 36 of said second conduit member 16 isconnected to outlet means 38 of said liquid pumping unit 29 and isthreadedly connected at 40 to said cleaning head 4. Valve means 42,which is manually operable, is connected to said conduit member l6 at aposition intermediate said cleaning head 4 and said pumping unit 29whereby the passage of liquid under pressure from said unit 29 to saidcleaning head is occasioned by depression oflever 44. The liquidpressure preferably delivered to the cleaning head by said pumping unitis about 10 p.s.i. although greater or lesser pressures are operative.

With further reference to FIG. 1, vacuum source 6 will be observed tocomprise a vacuum pump 46 mounted upon said top wall 26, said vacuumpump having inlet means 48 connected to end 50 of said first conduitmember and outlet means 51 having an extension tube 54 extending throughsaid top wall 26 into said tank and terminating above the surface level56 of said cleaning-liquid reservoir 12. Filter means 58 is communicablyconnected to the end 60 of said extension tube 54 as shown. the functionthereof being to restrict windshield residue, e.g., insects, etc., whichhad been removed by the cleaning head, against discharge into saidliquid reservoir l2 via said conduit means.

Cleaning head 4, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 of the drawings, will beseen to comprise a cleaning surface designated generally by numeral 62.said cleaning surface being coactingly comprised of yieldable peripheralflange 64 and abrasive means 66. the later being preferably a bristlebrush as shown having a scouring surface 68. said scouring surface beingin contact with the surface being cleaned, eg. windshield 70 in FIG. 4,when said cleaning head is urged against said surface by the user. tothereby cause retraction of said yieldable flange 64 while stillmaintaining a seal between the surface covered by said yieldable flange.That is. upon application of slight pressure by the user. the flange 64,which is preferably formed of soft rubber or other suitable material.will become compressed or give" sufficiently to permit scouring surface68 to also contact the surface being cleaned whereupon the motion ofsaid scouring surface against windshield 70, coupled with the looseningand cleaning action of the cleaning-liquid released through conduitmember [6. will dislodge foreign matter theretofore adhering to saidwindshield.

The path of cleaning-liquid through conduit member 16, upon valve means42 being opened, is as aforedescribed to said cleaning head, trunk lines72. 74 and 76 being branches of the primary conduit line 78 which isthreadedly connected to said conduit member 16. As observed in saidFIGS. 7. each of said trunk lines is respectively connected to orifices80. 82 and 84 wherefrom pressurized cleaningliquid emitted through saidorifices is applied through said scouring surface 68 upon the surfacebeing cleaned. By dint of the seal created between flange 64 and thesmooth surface being cleaned. the

subatmospheric pressure condition existing within region v of saidconduit means causes immediate withdrawal through said region 20 ofcleaning-liquid deposited upon said smooth surface together with theforeign matter dislodged from said surface, vacuum pump 46 being theinstrumentality responsible for the vacuum existing in said region 20',

In order to maintain the spaced relation between coaxially arranged,smaller diametered conduit member 16 and larger diametered conduitmember [4 and further to preclude collapse of said conduit member 16 dueto the subatmospheric condition within region 20, spacer members 86 areprovided as shown disposed between said coaxially arranged conduitmembers. While it is also within the contemplation of this invention toprovide conduit members of substantial wall thickness to preventcollapse under vacuum. the desire to retain considerable flexibility ofsaid conduit means and hence facilitate manipulation thereof, rendersthe use of relatively thin-walled conduit members suitable. Therefore.in the preferred form, the utilization of intermittently positionedspacer members. as shown, is desirable, where the use of highly flexibleconduit means is in order.

Where there exists a need for cleaning heads of varying con figurations,e.g.. one shaped to the contour of a headlight, i.e., where the abrasivesurface and yieldable peripheral flange have a spherical shape, andanother shaped for application to normally flat surface. such as awindshield or a storefront. a pair ofseparate conduit means 88 and 90and a pair of cleaning heads 92 and 94 as aforedescribed. may beprovided as il' lustrated in FIG. 3 ol'the accompanying drawings. Asshown therein, main pressurized liquid-educting conduit member 96 issealingly connected to main subatmospheric pressure conduit member 98via fitting I00. branch lines 102 and 104 of coaxially arrangedpressurized liquid (shown in broken line) and vacuum conduit members.each leading to respective cleaning heads 92 and 94. Valve means 106 and108 enable regulation of the flow of pressurized liquid to saidrespective cleaning heads in accordance with the demand therefor.

Therefore. a preferred embodiment and improved apparatus for cleaning asurface by simultaneously wetting. abrading and vacuumdrying the surfacehas been shown and described. The method itself, however. which affordshighly advantageous and unexpectedly effective results, essentiallycomprises the application of cleaning-liquid under pressure, e.g.. l0p.s.i., to an area to be cleaned. said area itself being maintained atsubatrnospheric pressure. The method further comprises the step ofsecuring the area during and/or after the application of the liquid. Theevacuated area is permitted to communicate with a region externalthereto. said region being the source of the subatmospheric pressurecondition within said area. Thus, liquid applied to said area will, byreason of the pressure under which it is applied. contact said areanotwithstanding the vacuum condition thereat. Further. the liquid willadhere to the area momentarily during the scouring operation although itwill continually be removed therefrom to the region being the source ofthe subatmospheric pressure. such removal causing the drying of saidarea. Obviously. therefore. as the area is being dried, so is the debrisor foreign matter loosened from said area being removed in the directionof said subatmospheric pressure source, The method may further comprisethe utilization of heated cleaning-liquid. e.g., l40 F, althoughcleaning-liquid temperatures ranging between approximately 6l60" F. havebeen found suitable depending upon the liquid and ambienttemperatureconditrons.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus described herein may bemechanically or otherwise powered although electrically driven pressureand vacuum pump means have been shown. Further, the conduit members may,within the purview of this invention, be arranged in separate ratherthan in the combined longitudinal arrangement as illustrated, theillustrated arrangement. however, being deemed preferable,

It will be further understood that the invention in its broader aspectsis not limited to the specific apparatus, steps and methods described.but departure may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanyingclaims without depart ing from the principles of the invention andwithout sacrificing its chicfadvantagcs.

What I claim is:

l. A cleaning apparatus having coacting wetting and drying meanscomprising first and second conduit members disposed in concentricrelationship wherein said second conduit ex tends longitudinally withinsaid first conduit, a cleaning head, a vacuum source, and a pressurizedcleaning-liquid source, said first and second conduit members eachhaving one end thereof connected to said cleaning head, said firstconduit having the opposite end thereof connected to said vacuum source.and said second conduit having the opposite end thereof connected withthe pressurized liquid source, said vacuum and pressurized liquidsources being concurrently operable whereby pressurized liquid can beapplied through said cleaning bead upon a surface to be cleaned, saidapplied liquid being momentarily thereafter withdrawn from said sur facethrough said cleaning head under subatmospheric pressure. said cleaninghead comprising peripheral means including a yieldable flange extendingperipherally therearound for sealing the liquid within the confines ofthe head during application of the cleaning liquid to the surface beingcleaned, scouring means having a scouring surface normally recessed withrespect to said yieldable flange and being in contact with the surfacebeing cleaned when said cleaning head is urged against said surface tobe cleaned thereby causing retraction of said yieldable flange, saidscouring means being provided with a plurality oforifices, said one endof said second conduit being branched into a plurality of trunk lineswhereby pressurized liquid emitted through said orifice is appliedthrough said scouring surface upon said surface to be cleaned, heatermeans immersed in said cleaning-liquid, thermostat means for regulatingthe temperature of said cleaning-liquid. and valve means connected tosaid second conduit member. said valve means being manually operablewhereby the passage of cleaning-liquid through said cleaning head isregulatable.

2. A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and comprising a tankhaving bottom and top walls. cleaningliquid within said tank. a pumphousing connected to and depending from said top wall, said pump housingbeing partially immersed within said liquid, a pump mounted within saidhousing, said pump having inlet means in communication with saidcleaning-liquid. outlet means connected to said other end of saidconduit member. a vacuum pump mounted on said top wall, and said vacuumpump having inlet means connected to said opposite end of said firstconduit member and outlet means extending into said tank.

1. A cleaning apparatus having coacting wetting and drying meanscomprising first and second conduit members disposed in concentricrelationship wherein said second conduit extends longitudinally withinsaid first conduit, a cleaning head, a vacuum source, and a pressurizedcleaning-liquid source, said first and second conduit members eachhaving one end thereof connected to said cleaning head, said firstconduit having the opposite end thereof connected to said vacuum source,and said second conduit having the opposite end thereof connected withthe pressurized liquid source, said vacuum and pressurized liquidsources being concurrently operable whereby pressurized liquid can beapplied through said cleaning bead upon a surface to be cleaned, saidapplied liquid being momentarily thereafter withdrawn from said surfacethrough said cleaning head under subatmospheric pressure, said cleaninghead comprising peripheral means including a yieldable flange extendingperipherally therearound for sealing the liquid within the confines ofthe head during application of the cleaning liquid to the surface beingcleaned, scouring means having a scouring surface normally recessed withrespect to said yieldable flange and being in contact with the surfacebeing cleaned when said cleaning head is urged against said surface tobe cleaned thereby causing retraction of said yieldable flange, saidscouring means being provided with a plurality of orifices, said one endof said second conduit being branched into a plurality of trunk lineswhereby pressurized liquid emitted through said orifice is appliedthrough said scouring surface upon said surface to be cleaned, heatermeans immersed in said cleaning-liquid, thermostat means for regulatingthe temperature of said cleaningliquid, and valve means connected tosaid second conduit member, said valve means being manually operablewhereby the passage of cleaning-liquid through said cleaning head isregulatable.
 2. A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1 andcomprising a tank having bottom and top walls, cleaning-liquid withinsaid tank, a pump housing connected to and depending from said top wall,said pump housing being partially immersed within said liquid, a pumpmounted within said housing, said pump having inlet means incommunication with said cleaning-liquid, outlet means connected to saidother end of said conduit member, a vacuum pump mounted on said topwall, and said vacuum pump having inlet means connected to said oppositeend of said first conduit member and outlet means extending into saidtank.